- Archives

A Delaware State Capitol Police officer attempting to organize a statewide union for black officers was fired Thursday, a day after a News Journal article profiled the officer's efforts. Capitol Police officer Darrell Hervey had formed the African American Criminal Justice Society and was talking with leaders of the National Black Police Association about coming to Delaware, where recent lawsuits against the state police have alleged racial and gender bias as well as reverse discrimination. Capitol Police Chief William H. Jopp called Hervey Thursday morning and fired him over the phone. "I was fired because of the article," Hervey said. "This changes nothing. We're going forward with the union. I didn't start this venture just to be intimidated by their actions. The union is needed whether I get fired or not. This proves it." The timing is a coincidence, Chief Jopp said. [more]